Bale tie



Oct. 3l, 1967 A. BUY 3,349,442

BALE TIE Filed Sept. 27, 1965 INV EN TOR.

Alzxamda- Bcf) United States Patent Cflce 3,349,442 BALE TIE Alexander Buy, Palos Park, Ill., assignor to Interlake Steel Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New York Filed Sept. 27, 1965, Ser. No. 490,274 2 Claims. (Cl. 24-23) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to the art of baling and particularly to an improved method and strap lor band for more accurately baling compressed bundles.

It is common in the industry to employ a flat metal band or strap which is provided with `two deformations or detents spaced apart from each other at one end of the band. Between the detents is positioned a tubular -metal seal which is confined by the detents in its endwise movement on the band to locations between the two detents. In effect, the detents retain the metal seal -on the one end of the band. The other end of the band is flat. In use, the strap is encircled into a strap loop around a baleV or bundle held compressed by means of a suitable bale press. The flat end of the strap is then positioned behind the end of the strap having the detents and through the tubular metal seal surrounding the end of the strap with the detents. The detents are so spaced that when the tubular metal seal is slid endwise against one of the detents, it urges the two strap ends together so that they are held frictionally from slipping relative to each other. In this manner, the operator can let go of the strap loop which is encircled around the compressed bale or bundle and he can then apply another similar strap loop to an adjacent portion of the bale or bundle while the bale is still held compressed.

Alfter a suitable number of strap loops are positioned, a conventional tool can be used to deform the tubular metal seal and the overlapping strap portions passing through them into interlocking joints which secure the overlapping strap ends and permanently tix the strap loops. After the joints are formed, the bale press is released and the compressed bale or bundle expands against the encircling strap loops being tensioned and they thereafter retain .the bale or bundle as a tight unit.

With this method just described, there is a serious disadvantage. The operator does not always form strap loops of the same size because he varies the amounts the flat strap ends extend through the tubular metal seals as he forms the strap loops. The result is that the strap loops are of different sizes, Upon release of the bale or bundle from compression, the strap loops then become tensioned by different amounts. The smaller strap loops acquire the highest tension, while the larger strap loops end up with less tension. In some cases, when the outward pressure of the compressed bale is high, it is common for the excessively tensioned strap loops to break. In order to avoid this, one method is to increase ths cross-section of the strap or band used or use a band of higher tensile strength. Both of these suggestions are disadvantageous because they involve higher cost.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide an improved bale band or strap for use in baling applications whereby uniformity of size of band or strap loops 3,349,442. Patented Oct. 31, 1967 is guaranteed with resulting uniform strap tension, thus permitting lower tensile strength by smaller cross-section or reduced unit strength strap to be employed with the consequent benefits of economy and less possibility of failures.

In order to fulfill this objective, it is another object of the invention to provide an improved bale band or strap which has detents or deformations on both ends of the strap which permit accurate location of one strap end relative to the other during formation of a strap loop preliminary to final joint formation.

In order to provide accurate location of the strap ends, it is another object of the invention to form the detents or deformations in both ends of the band at fixed distances relative to each other so that the distances between detents or deformations on a single strap will be the same as the distances between deformations or detents on other straps employed for binding the same compressed bale or bundle.

In order to provide accurate distances between the deformations or detents on a single band, it is another object to simultaneously form the detents or deformations on a single strap by employing deforming dies which are accurately located relative to each other by the distances required between the detents or deformations.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an improved strap joint comprising overlapping strap ends, one of which has a part provided with a wedging surface, and a seal embracing said strap ends and having a part engaging the wedging surface to cause the seal and strap ends to exert a frictional grip upon each other, and the other end having a detent for engaging the wedging surface to locate one strap end relative to the other.

Other objects and advantages of t-he invention should be apparent upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIG. l shows a side elevation of a bale tie or strap manufactured in accordance with this invention and illustrates punching dies which can be used to form the bale tie.

FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the opposite ends of a bale tie or strap manufactured in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a bale in cross-section with a bale tie surrounding it.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional side View of the component parts of the bale tie as they are positioned preliminary to final formation of a joint between the parts.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the bale tie with a completed joint, and

FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of the bale tie and completed joint as indicated in FIG. 5.

As indicated in FIGS. l and 2, a flat strap or band 1 of a predetermined length is provided with three deformed portions 2, 3 and 4. Deformed portions 2 and 3 are spaced from each other, but are positioned at one end la of the strap v1. At the other end 1b of the strap is the deformed portion 4. Between the deformed portions 2 and 3 is provided an encircling tubular seal 5 which is limited in its longitudinal movement along the strap between the confines of the deformed portions 2 and 3. The deformed portion 2 is provided by a sloped region 2a which offsets the extreme end portion 2b from the main part of the strap end 1a. The deformed portion 3 has a V-shape provided by two convergent sloped portions 3a and 3b. The deformed portion 4 is of a V-shape formed Iby 2 sloped portions 4a and 4b. The deformed portions 2, 3 and 4 can be imparted to the strap 1 by means of suitable dies 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a and 8b as shown in FIG. 1. When the dies of a respective pair are brought together, they produce the shape of the deformed portions because the dies themselves are of corresponding shapes.

When forming the bale tie, the seal can be first positioned and then the dies are moved to form the deformations 2, 3 and 4. In order to provide uniformity in the spacing of the deformed portions 2, '3 and4, the dies are fixed in positions at predetermined distances apart from each other. In this manner, successive bale ties are formed with the `deformed portions at the same predetermined distances apart. As explained hereinafter, this is an irnportant feature for insuring that the strap loops formed in the straps are all of the same length.

As shown in FIG. 3, a strap 1, provided with the deformations shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is encircled -around a bale 9 when the bale is held compressed between the platens and 11 of a baling press. This bale press keeps the bale under compression while the strap 1 is applied. With the strap 1 in this position, as indicated in FIG. 4, the strap end 1b is threaded through the seal S parallel to the strap end 1a which is already threaded through the seal 5. Because the portion 2b of the strap end 1a is offset from the main body of the strap end 1a, it spaces the strap end 1b away from the strap end 1a. Similarly, the deformed portion 4 also assists in maintaining this spaced relationship. As the deformed portions 2 and 4 are `brought together and the seal 5 is moved toward these adjacent deformed portions 2 and 4, the seal 5 engages the strap ends 1a and 1b very tightly in the regions of the deformed portions 2 and 4 so that there is frictional engagement between the three members, seal 5 and the strap ends 1a and 1b. When in this position, the operator can let go of the members and apply another bale tie or strap in the same manner around an adjacent portion of the bale 9. After all bale ties are in place with the seals 5 and the strap ends 1a and 1b engaged tightly by friction, a conventional sealing tool is applied to the seals 5 to deform the seals and their encircled strap ends into interlocking engagement with each other. After the sealed joints are formed with the sealing tool, their appearance is as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 with tabs 5a cut or otherwise deformed at the endges of the seal 5. Although only one form of interlocked joint is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, there are many different style joints which can be formed and there are as many different tools available for this purpose.

The special importance of the deformed portion 2 is its engagement with the deformed portion 4. When it is so engaged, because the deformed portion 2 is a predetermined distance from the deformed portion 4, and this distance is the same on all straps, the result is that the length of each strap loop is the same. The advantage of this is that when the platens 10 and 11 of the bale press are released to permit expansion of the bale 9, the straps 1 all tension to approximately the same amount to provide uniform distribution of the outward force of the bale on all of the straps applied to the bale. In this manner, since each strap carries approximely an equal share of the load, none of the forces on any strap 1 is excessive. For this reason, lower tensile strength straps can be used.

Although only a single embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it should be clearly understood that the invention can be made in many different ways without departing from the true scope of the invention as defined by the appending claims.

I claim:

1. A strap joint comprising overlapping strap ends of a single length of strap, one of which has a part provided with a first individually distinct readily identifiable wedging surface, and a seal embracing said strap and having a part engaging said wedging surface to cause said seal and said strap ends to exert a frictional grip upon each other, the other strap end having a second individually distinct readily identifiable wedging surface located at a predetermined distance from the first wedging surface and engageable with the first wedging surface for locating the positions of the strap ends relative to each other, the length of strap `being substantially planar except for the presence of said two wedging surfaces which project from the plane of the planar portions of the strap, the seal having an opening extending longitudinally through it through which the strap passes to allow the seal to travel longitudinally along the strap, the opening being of a size large enough to freely pass two overlapped layers of the fiat portions of the strap but small enough to prevent passage therethrough of the wedging surfaces when they are engaged with each other, thereby permitting travel of the seal along the overlapping strap ends to be blocked by the engaged wedging surfaces and signify the terminal portion of movement of the seal.

2. A strap joint comprising overlapping strap ends of a single length of strap, one of which has a part provided with a first individually distinct readily identifiable deformation and a second deformation spaced from each other longitudinally of the strap end, and a seal embracing the strap ends confined for movement between the first and second deformations, said seal having a part engaging said first deformation to cause said seal and said strap ends to exert a frictional grip upon each other, the other strap end having a third individually distinct readily identifiable deformation located at a predetermined distance from the first deformation and engageable with the first deformation for locating the positions of the strap ends relative to each other, the length of strap being substantially flat except for the presence of said three wedging surfaces which project from the plane of the planar portions of the strap, the seal having an opening extending longitudinally through it through which the strap passes to allow the seal to travel longitudinally along the strap, the opening being of a size large enough to freely pass two overlapped layers of the flat portions of the strap but small enough to prevent passage therethrough of the first and third deformations when they are engaged with each other, thereby permitting travel of the seal along the overlapping strap ends to be blocked by the engaged first and third deformations and signify the terminal portions of movement of the seal.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 503,181 8/1893 Webb 24-23 X 1,031,188 7/1912 Law 24-23 1,173,998 2/1916 Depew 24-23 1,393,791 10/1921 Kimball et al. 24--23 JAMES L. JONES, J R., Primary Examiner. 

1. A STRAP JOINT COMPRISING OVERLAPPING STRAP ENDS OF A SINGLE LENGTH OF STRAP, ONE OF WHICH HAS A PART PROVIDED WITH A FIRST INDIVIDUALLY DISTINCT READILY IDENTIFIABLE WEDGEING SURFACE, AND A SEAL EMBRACING SAID STRAP AND HAVING A PART ENGAGING SAID WEDGING SURFACE TO CAUSE SAID SEAL AND SAID STRAP ENDS TO EXERT A FRICTIONAL GRIP UPON EACH OTHER, THE OTHER STRAP END HAVING A SECOND INDIVIDUALLY DISTINCT READILY IDENTIFIABLE WEDGING SURFACE LOCATED AT A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE FROM THE FIRST WEDGING SURFACE AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE FIRST WEDGING SURFACE FOR LOCATING THE POSITIONS OF THE STRAP ENDS RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER, THE LENGTH OF STRAP BEING SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR EXCEPT FOR THE PRESENCE OF SAID TWO WEDGING SURFACES WHICH PROJECT FROM THE PLANE OF THE PLANAR PORTIONS OF THE STRAP, THE SEAL HAVING AN OPENING EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY THROUGH IT THROUGH WHICH THE STRAP PASSES TO ALLOW THE SEAL TO TRAVEL LONGITUDINALLY ALONG THE STRAP, THE OPENING BEING OF A SIZE LARGE ENOUGH TO FREELY PASS TWO OVERLAPPED LAYERS OF THE FLAT PORTIONS OF THE STRAP BUT SMALL ENOUGH TO PREVENT PASSAGE THERETHROUGH OF THE WEDGING SURFACES WHEN THEY ARE ENGAGED WITH EACH OTHER, THEREBY PERMITTING TRAVEL OF THE SEAL ALONG THE OVERLAPPING STRAP ENDS TO BE BLOCKED BY THE ENGAGED WEDGING SURFACES AND SIGNIFY THE TERMINAL PORTION OF MOVEMENT OF THE SEAL. 